Cremation VS Burial Cost

Cost is the main factor in how you’ll present the disposition of your late loved ones. Understanding the different prices between cremation & burial can help you make a more informed decision when choosing a funeral home to serve your family.

The first thing to do is to understand what options are available. Second is if the person deceased planned beforehand. It is better to follow his preferred disposition as to giving respect to his last request.

If you call a funeral home and ask, “How much do their services cost?” expect a thorough interview as they will need to know what service options you are considering.

Services can be basic or as unique as the life of the person remembered. The final cost will depend on the arrangement or services that you will choose.

Cremation Cost

There are mainly three types of cremation service; the traditional service with visitation, cremation with a memorial service, and the direct cremation with no service.

Traditional Service with Visitation

For a traditional full-service funeral, there is a visitation or public viewing and funeral service, held either at a church or funeral chapel. A casket often is the single most expensive item you’ll buy if you plan a “traditional” full-service funeral. A rental or “ceremonial” casket is used, and it can either be opened or closed during the visitation. The actual cremation would be after the funeral, and the cremated remains will be given back to the family. The average cost for this procedure is $2,500.

Cremation with a Memorial Service

While the first one includes a casket with a body in it, a memorial service is a funeral service without the body present. The cremation takes place a day or two following the death. An urn containing the remains of the deceased can be present at the memorial service, which can be held at the funeral home, a church or any meaningful place. The cost, of course, still varies depending on where the service is held.

Direct Cremation with No Service

A direct cremation is the most basic or simple type of service. The body is cremated, and the cremated remains given to the family. There is no service of any kind. The average cost for this procedure is $1,500.

Burial Cost

Funerals today can easily exceed $10,000. The average cost of burial can cost up to $7,000 or more, and based on some items chosen such as flowers, transportation, headstone, and the likes. While caskets can cost several thousand dollars, burial items like headstones and grave liners can also add thousands of dollars depending on the material used.

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences a person may encounter. As if losing someone wasn’t hard enough, grieving family members often left with the burden of funeral expenses.

These expenses require many on-the-spot decisions. The stress of making these decisions can often drive families apart when they need each other the most.

Thus, it’s not uncommon for families to overspend by hundreds – even thousands – of dollars on funeral arrangements.Funerals are just as unique as the individuals they celebrate. Depending on your culture, race, religious beliefs, or financial situation, one type of burial may be more appealing than another.

Some funeral homes can make matters worse by recommending unnecessary funeral expenses¹ or services that are beyond what a family can afford. Family members can feel pressured to give their loved one the best funeral possible and wind up overspending as a result. Having a trusted friend accompany you in advance can help you stay within your budget.

Direct Cremation with No Service

Every funeral home is required to present you with a general price list that lists all their company offers. Most funeral homes offer packages for a set price. Packages should clearly state all inclusion and what might cost extra.

Listed below are generally included in most packages:

Professional fees of the funeral home and staff

Transportation of the deceased to the funeral home

Permits

Cremation fee

Listed below are sometimes not included:

Urn

Death Certificates

Taxes

Listed below are other services that might involve an extra cost:

Embalming

Transportation fee

Medical examiners’ fees

Private family viewing

Boston Cremation offers a simple, affordable, online arrangement process that significantly reduces the stress for the families. Their package prices range from $1500 up to $4000.

Michael Johnston

I am a licensed funeral director and the owner of Beloved Cremations. My cremation center is licensed and certified to operate in Los Angeles, California as well as other nearby cities. I also write articles here and in other sites to help readers like you to navigate funeral and cremation process the easiest way possible. If you have general question or inquiry about our cremation services, just call us anytime.